WEST BENGAL GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES SOCIAL DISTANCING DURING

UNCLAS KOLKATA 000261

SIPDIS

HHS PASS TO OGHA (KULIKOWSKI/CUMMINGS)
STATE FOR STAS AND AIAG (REED-ROWE)
HHS FOR NIH/FIC (GLASS/MAMPILLY/HANDLEY)
HHS FOR FDA (LUMPKIN/VALDEZ)
HHS FOR CDC (BLOUNT/COX)
USDA FOR APHIS (FLEMING/BURLESON)
USDA FOR FAS (RIKER/BEAN)
NEW DELHI FOR FAS/APHIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR AMGT AMED CASC TBIO ASEC KFLU PGOV IN
SUBJECT: WEST BENGAL GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES SOCIAL DISTANCING DURING
FESTIVE SEASON


1. Summary: Over the past three weeks there has been a decline
in the rate of reported H1N1 infections in Kolkata. But
thousands of people gathered in enclosed spaces during the
ensuing Durga Puja festival could increase H1N1 transmission.
The West Bengal government has launched a campaign to encourage
people to practice social distancing during this annual
festival. Given the scale and importance of Durga Puja,
voluntary isolation of people with flu symptoms is the only
viable option to keep H1N1 within manageable limits. West
Bengal's public health officials are hoping that an awareness
campaign encouraging social distancing and Mother Goddess Durga
will protect them from a potential pandemic.

Current Status Of H1N1 Infection


2. According to Health Department sources as of September 16,
133 people in CG Kolkata's consular district have been infected
with the H1N1 virus. Of these, 120 were from Kolkata city while
seven were from the Northeastern states and six from other
states in Eastern India. Till date, no one in the consular
district has died of the infection and in the past few weeks,
the rate of new infections has decreased. According to the
Government of West Bengal (GOWB)'s Health Department, the number
of confirmed cases has reduced over the past three weeks. There
were four reported cases over the past week, seven cases the
week before that, and 16 the week before. There have been no
reported confirmed cases outside West Bengal since August 17.

Durga Puja Raises Concern


3. Despite the lower rates, GOWB Health Department officials
are concerned that the Durga Puja festival may cause in increase
in H1N1 transmission. GOWB's Nodal Officer for H1N1, Dr. Asit
Biswas, told PolFSN that there is a heightened possibility of
the virus being transmitted during the four-day long Durga Puja
beginning September 25. This is because hundreds of thousands
of people will gather in confined spaces to celebrate the
festival. Although a Hindu religious festival, the Durga Puja
over the past few decades has become a grand carnival attracting
people from all over the world. Streams of people gather in
enclosed temporary temples -- known as Pandals -- to see clay
images of the Mother Goddess Durga who is believed to be
protecting people from all evils. According to media reports,
Kolkata will have 2,000 Pandals this year.

The Official Response


4. To reduce H1N1 transmission during the festival, the GOWB
has launched a media campaign to educate people about H1N1. The
Health Department is hoping that by raising awareness about how
the infection spreads, the campaign will keep people with
influenza-like symptoms away from the Pandals. The Health
Department has set up electronic scroll boards at prominent
locations in the city and has started beaming public health
messages through popular TV stations. The Health Department has
also requested assistance from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation
(KMC) and Kolkata Police to persuade Puja organizers to educate
people about good hygiene and the need to avoid crowd if someone
is taken ill. KMC's Chief Medical Officer told PolFSN that his
office will distribute posters to Puja organizers all over the
city. All the 19 district hospitals (referral hospitals under
the government healthcare system) now have H1N1 isolation wards.

Comment


5. The GOWB seems to be alert to the possibility of an
increased H1N1 transmission as a result of Durga Puja. With its
limited medical facilities, West Bengal would not be able to
adequately manage an explosion in the number of H1N1 infections
if the virus is spread during Durga Puja. Given the scale and
importance of Durga Puja in Bengali society, imposing
restrictions on festival congregations is not an option. West
Bengal's public health officials are therefore hoping that
social distancing and Mother Goddess Durga will protect them
from a potential pandemic.

PAYNE